Surface ornamentation



April l, 1943. H. M. HENDRxcKsoN SURFACE ORNAMENTATION Filed Reb. 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 m n@ o7: E me m EL /M O w? ,d n Wi 1w A. Q. A w, H M 6%)5 Wm Een?? 5L@ H. M. HENDRICKSON SURFACE ORNAMENTATION Filed Feb. 29,- 1940 JV?. Z@

e gj BY Patented Apr. 1, 1941 SURFACE ORNAMENTATION Henry M. Hendrickson, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Folmer Grailcx Corporation, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application February 29, 1940, Serial No. 321,453

(Cl. llil- 34) 14 Claims.

This invention relates to methods of ornamenting preferably rigid or substantially rigid surfaces or one or more surfaces of containers or receptacles, to the ornamented surface as an article of manufacture, and also to the beaded strips or parts constituting the ornamental element of the surface ornamentation.

In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, I have in the accompanying drawings disclosed a number of representative embodiments of the ornamental surface of my invention, and have represented the means for producing the ornamented surface or article.

In said drawings- Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a box-like structure having a surface ornamentation embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken transversely across one of the beaded elements used in the practice of my invention and applied to a surface of the receptacle or other article to constitute the ornamental element thereof;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section similar to Fig. 2 but representing a semi-circular. or otherwise curved beading or ornamental element;

Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 2 but taken through a corner of a box or casing, the surfacel whereof is ornamented in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but representing a beading or ornamental element having a curved outer surface;

Fig. 6 is a plan View of a surface which may be the top surface of the box or casing shown in Fig. 1, made in accordance with my invention;

Fig 7 is a plan view of the flexible covering which is applied over the ornamental elements, being provided with openings through which said elements are exposed;

Fig. 8 is an edge View of the flexible lcovering shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a transverse section through an ornamental element to show one manner of securing said element to the rigid surface or basal element; and

Fig. 10 is a similar view representing other ways of securing the ornamental element to the basal element.

My invention relates to surface ornamentations. The invention may be applied to or used in connection with a very great variety of surfaces or articles preferably, however, of a rigid or substantially rigid character. 'I'he surface to be ornamented may be merely a fiat or curved surface, or it may be an article constituting a receptacle,

container, casing or box-like structure. Without in any way limiting my invention thereto, I have chosen to show and describe the same in connection with a camera casing, inasmuch as my invention has grown or developed out 0f a desire to provide a metallic o-r other camera casing with ornamental lines or beads or portions of contrasting color or appearance. However, my invention is or may be of very Wide application as Will be evident from the following detail explanation thereof and the purposes therefor. I will, therefore, specifically describe a single application or embodiment of the invention but in so doing I am not limiting the invention to the disclosed use.

In the manufacture of certain objects, as, for example, camera cases made from metal or compositions, such as Bakelite, or die castings, it is frequently desirable to have certain lines or beads or portions of the surface highlighted or possessing a contrasting color With the remainder of the surface of the object in question. If a bright surface of a metallic appearance were desired on a Bakelite molding casting, for example, it would, so far as I am aware, be practically impossible to produce such object, since no satisfactory method has been developed for casting decorative beads integral with the body of the casting. Furthermore, with certain objects and particularly With receptacles such as camera casings, it is very desirable that the basic element of the casing or casting be covered with leather or some acceptable leather-substitute, in order to give the camera casing or other article an attractive appearance that will appeal 'to the intending purchaser, Moreover, a leather or like covering provides a more comfortable feel to the hands of the operator.

When making articles such as receptacles, by the use of die castings of metal, as, for example, zinc or aluminum, it is possible to cast beads, lines, ribs or other decorative members integral with the body casting, but the polishing of such beads, lines, etc. and the proper finishing thereof so that a lasting lustre is secured, is almost prohibitive because of the cost thereof. Moreover, in a great many cases, small blow holes appear in the polished surface of the beading, lines, ribs, etc. after the polishing has been completed or during the act of polishing.

For these and other reasons, I have conducted Ilengthy experimentations and have by my invendesign of ornamentation to be varied or changed from time to time in successive articles without the necessity of having new molds made in the case of plastic or die castings, and without the necessity of making new forming tools, as in the case of stampings or patterns used in sand castings.

In its simplest embodiment, my invention comprehends (a) the basic element or surface that is to receive the ornamentation, said surface being preferably rigid or substantially so and being, if desired, a receptacle or container, (b) the ornamental element, preferably consisting of one or more headings, strips, ribs, panels or the like, to be applied flatwise to the basic element, yand (c) a flexible covering overlying and secured to the basic element and having openings through which the ornamental element protrudes. The appearance is therefore that of a structure, the vbasal element whereof has the beads, ribs, etc. integrally formed therewith.

It'is lto be understood that very numerous vtypes 'f .decorative beads, ribs, strips, etc. may Vbe provided in accordance with the design 'or ornamentation that is 'sught It is 'entirely possible, in

the ypractice /of'my invention, touse as thebasal element fa very inexpensive casting and to vapply thereto deorative strips having highly polished surfaces. The saidcasting' is then covered with Vleather or -other suitable 4covering material so slitted or therwise provided with openings as'to permit the beads, ribs or "strips constituting the ornamental element, Ito be visible. `Thus, in practicea very expensive'appearingand satisfactory packagewill"result,`which actually will be a su" perior article over one that is manufactured with Adecrative'st-rips or highlighted'members integral with the case itself, and therefore subject to such 4lolernisl'iesasblow holes, etc., or which cannot Vbe suitably vpolished to Apresent the desired attrac tive appearance.

The y'steps of the invention may beso widely A.practiced that my invention may be employed in the production of such things as stationery or..

confectionery lboxes or other boxes or containers" Ain the manufacture of which I employ very light weight decorative metal strips or non-metal strips with decorative paper covering placed over the basal member, namely, the foundation box itself.

Other uses of the invention will be readily evin dent from the following detailed description.

, In Figs. 2 to 5*v inclusive, 9 and 10, the basal element is represented at I, and while the same will be described as a box or receptacle, it is evident that the element I may be any substantially rigid surface. The said basal element I may be of metal or it may be some non-metallic material, as, Yfor example, `a suitably heavy paper or some Ycomposition or plastic material. It may be a metal casting, and in case of a camera case, such as indicated generally at 2 in Fig. 1, it would be of some metal that will permit the fashioning of a rigid structure, as, for example, steel,

aluminum, copper, bronze, an alloy, etc. The nathat is to receive the ornamentation. Desirably, these ornamental elements are each secured to the basal element in some way as by riveting, cementing, spot welding, soldering, etc., but Within the scope of my invention, the ornamental elements may be merely laid flatwise upon the basal surface or element so as to receive over the lateral flanges or lips thereof, which I generally provide, the covering which is adhesively secured to the basal member and to said ilanges or lips, but is provided with slits or openings, or is so made in sections with exposing edges that the ornamental beads, ribs `or other ornamental elements are displayed therethrough.

The ornamental beads, ribs, strips, panels, etc., which I generically refer to as the ornamental element, may be made of any suitable material. Where the surface, box or container constituting the basal element is of metal, the ornamental element will desirably also be of metal, and the kind of 'metal will depend upon the effect it is desired 'to produce,'the cost of the material, etc. I may, f-or example, vuse sheet steel, copper, aluminum, 'some' alloys, or even more expensive metals, as, for example, silver. The bead or ribbed effect, whether continuous or interrupted to produce short areas or spots, may be produced in any suitable 'way as by means of stamps, dies, or otherwise. The 'thicknefssof the material constituting the ornamental element can be varied withinthe scope of my invention, l.but preferably the material 'is very thin,"while sufciently thick to resist denting 'or other injury. In case the basal element is of some 'non-metallic material, such as paper or somecor'nposition, the ornamental element may be, if desiredfof some nonmetallic material and be shaped or formed in'any suitable way into the desiredr effect.

In the several figures ofthe drawings, I 'have represented merely as'typi'cal of lmy invention certain ornamental elements in the nature of eadings applied either to `a flat surface of the portions, thus providing spaced, ornamental areas. Theouter covering vof leather or other suitable material and which isof a ilexiblenature, is represented at 6. It is provided with a slit, slot, or opening 'I created by removing 'materiaL or is so made in different pieces 'as to overlie the lips or anges 5, 5 and to meet the upright walls 8, 8 of the ornamental rib 3, whereby, when the article is completed, the only part of the ornamental element that is shown is the surface or surfaces 9. The covering 6 is adhesively secured to the basal member I and-.to the tops' of the lips or anges 5 by cement or otherwise, depending upon the nature of the article to which the invention is applied. y

In Fig. 3, substantially the same structure is shown as in Fig. 2, excepting that the raised portion or portions Ill ofthe rib structure IIl isV substantially semi-circular in'` cross section.

The `structure shown ini-Fig.` 4-is similar generallr to tbat.sh0wr1,;ie.zF,is .2 excepting 'that the beading indicated generally at I2, which may be so formed as to provide short, local areas or effects or uninterrupted lines, is applied to a corner I3 of the article vwhich in this case is a receptacle. The beading shown in Fig. 4 not only has the two lips or flanges I4, I4, which are at right angles to each other, but also has four walls I5, I6, I l, I8, all angularly disposed with respect to each other. The outer covering indicated at 6 is applied in a similar manner to the basal element and to the lips or flanges.

The ornamental element shown in Fig. is a beading I 9, which is applied to a vrounded or curved corner of the receptacle and is therefore shown as having a curved surface 2Icon stituting the beading, from which angularly exvtend two walls 22, 23 from which latter respectively extend the lips or flanges 24, 24. The outer covering 6 may be the same as in the preceding figures.

In Fig. 1, I have merely diagrammatically indicated the completed article when the same is of box form, as, for example, a camera casing. It will be observed that the ornamental elements thereof in the nature of beadings, ribs, strips or the like, include a so-calle-d -escutcheon 25, shown as a continuous member of open rectangular form placed slightly within and parallel with the outer edge of the top surface 26. Within said escutcheon are three ornamental elements 2'I, 28, 29, the lengths whereof may be as desired, and the raised portions of which may be continuous or interrupted; Upon one of the vertical walls is a ring-like ornamental beading 3U, and about one of the corner of the receptacle are placed bent, parallelly positioned headings 3l, 32, 33. At one upright corner of the receptacle is shown a vertical beading 34. These are all constructed with lips or flanges and are of the character shown in detail in any of the other gures of the drawings.

' It will be understood that the shape and structure of the ornamental headings or the like may be very greatly varied.

In Figs. 6, '7 and 8, I have represented the elements that constitute the top of the casing 2, and inasmuch as the parts are the same as the corresponding parts of Fig. 1, and the reference characters are the same, it will not be necessary to describe them again in detail. Fig. 6 represents the top of the casing or structure 2, as it appears prior to the application of the covering of leather or other flexible material which is shown in plan at 35 in Fig. 7, and in edge view in Fig. 8. It is thus evident from Fig. 6 that each of the ornamental elements not only has the head, rib, ridge or the like, whether of a continuous or interrupted character, but also has the two lateral lips or flanges, both of which are represented at 5, 5 for the straight strips 21, 28, 29, but whereof only the inner lip or flange 5 of the encircling ornamental member 25 is shown, inasmuch as the other lip or flange 5 is covered by the covering element extending up from the side of the receptacle 2. The outer ange 5 of the ornamental element 25 is, however, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6.

In Fig. 7, the covering material is represented as having three slots 36 of just the right length and width so that when the covering 25 is cemented or otherwise secured in place upon the casing 2, only the rib 3 or the like of the ornamental element will be visible. To create the slots 36, just enough material is removed to permit the ribs 3 to be fully shown, without showing the anges 5.

'The ornamental elements may be secured insince they may be held in place by the overlaid covering itself, which is adhesively secured to the basal element and overlies and is adhesively secured to the lips or flanges of the ornamental element. Preferably,` however, I do secure each ornamental element to the basal element I. This may be done by rivets, as indicated at 31 in Fig. 9, where the beaded portion of the ornamental element is indicated as before at 3 and the lips orl flanges at 5. In Fig. 10, I have indicated the ornamental member as secured to the basal member by spot welding or cementing or soldering. Any other suitable securing means may be employed.

It is not essential in all cases that the ornamental member have the two securing lips or flanges,` such as 5, but preferably I do provide both lips or flanges 5, as by so doing the ornamental element may be more effectively held in place. Also the extent of the Said lips orA flanges 5 may be varied, and they need not in'. all cases be continuous throughout, since I may,7

in some cases form the lip or lips 5 of a series;

It is evident from the foregoing description vthat my invention includes not only the process; of making the ornamental surface as an entirety, but also to the completed article, whether it be a at surface or receptacle, and that it also includes as a separate article the ornamental ele ments themselves.

Having thus described several illustrative embodiments of the structure of my invention and the elements thereof, and the best way of carry' ing out my process, it is to be understood that although specific terms are used, they are employed in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

l. As a novel combination of co-acting parts effecting surface ornamentation of a rigid or stiff ornamental object, an object having a surface to be ornamented, an ornamental element consisting of a thin strip of rigid character having a raised portion adapted to be exposed to view in use in such surface ornamentation, said raised portion having laterally extending therefrom, at one edge thereof at least, a lip constructed and arranged to be positioned in use in such surface ornamentation flatwise upon the surface of said object to be ornamented, and a flexible covering layer applied to said object, an edge portion or portions of which covering overlie in use in such surface ornamentation said lip or lips of the said ornamental element but leaving said raised portion exposed, and the remainder of which flexible covering layer is applied to the adjacent parts of the said rigid or stii ornamental object, thereby effecting ornamentation of the surface of said object by the described application of said ornamental element and said flexible covering layer to the surface of such object.

2. A combination according to claim 1, but wherein the said thin strip is provided with continuous lips at its opposite sides overlaid by edge portions of the flexible covering layer when in functioning position,

3. A, combination accordingL toy claimv 1, but wherein-the said thin `strip is bent as an. entirety along,v a. longitudinal line between its lateral edges into a shape for effecting the application .of the.r saidstrip to a corner ofl the rigid ornamentalobject'.

4. Af combination accordingV tovclaim 1, but whereinthe said thin strip is itself bent as `an entirety transverselyfat a place betweenits ends, so=that at such placeA it is applied to anedgeof the` rigid or sti ornamental object with;l the straight parts of the stripv respectively applied flatvvisen to walls of the saidv object meeting at such edge.

5. A combination according to claim. 1, but wherein the said strip, being flat as an entirety, is bent orcurved laterally as an entirety out of itsstraight form and isapplied flatwise. to the surface .of thesaid rigid or stiff ornamental object.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a substantially. rigid or stiff ornamented surface consistingv a substantially rigid basal element, one f or more thin ornamental elements yapplied thereto, each such ornamental element consisting of a raised portion adapted .to be exposed 'toy view whenY applied in use,` each such raised portion having. laterally extendingtherefrom, at one edge at least, a lip or flange. applied flatWise against said .basal element, and a flexible outer covering adhesively secured to the portions of the surface of the basal element that are not covered by said'orna'mentalelement or elements, and overlyingv and adhesively secured to the said lipsor flanges, and extending Vclose to the. sides of the sai'dfraised portions, so as.to leave exposed to view only the said raised. portions of. said ornamental element or elements.

' 7. A structure according to claim 6, but wherein such ornamental-'elements have opposite flangesV secured to the basal element.

8. A-4 structure according. to.. claim 6, but wherein thebasa-l element is metallic and Wherein the ornamental elements .are also metallic;

9..A structure according. to claim. 6, but wherein the basal element is a receptacle, and one or more of the ornamental elements are applied ilatwise to a surface or surfaces of the said receptacle, and one or more of saidv ornamental elements are applied over corners or meeting faces oflsaid 4receptacle and for that purpose have their lips -or flanges at substantially right angles to eachother, thus conforming to the planesfof the said meeting faces.

l0. That process of ornamenting a substantially rigid surface constituting a basal element which includes the following steps: applying flat- Wise to the said surface one or more thin ornamental elements'each having a raised ornamental portion` and av laterally extending lip or lips, and adhesively securing to the other portions of the surface a flexible outer covering which extends close to the said raised portion, so as to leave only that exposed.

l1. That process of ornamenting Va substantially'rigid surface constituting a basal element which-includesthe; following steps: applying fiatwise to` the said surface onefor more thin ornamental -elements eacnhavingfa raised ornamental portion and twoeoppositely extending lips or flanges, andl adhesively securingto the other portions ofthe surface Aand to the tops of said anges a flexible outer covering-,from Which portions of the material thereof havebeen removed that in shape and extent equal the said raised portions, so that, when applied, the surface of the basal element is entirely covered conjointly by the said ornamental element orv elements and the said flexible covering.

l2. That process of ornamenting a substantial- 1y rigid surface constituting. a basal element Whichincludes the following steps: applying yflatwise tothe said surface one or more thin ornamental elements each having a raisedv ornamental portion and two oppositely extending lips or flanges, securing saidlips or flanges tothesaid basal element, and then adhesively securing to the other portionsof the surface and to the tops of said. flangesa. flexible outer covering from which portions of the material thereof have been removed that in shape and extent equal the said raised v-portions, sothat, when applied, the surface. of the vbasal element is entirely covered conjoin'tly by the said ornamental element or elements and the said flexible covering.

13. That process of ornamenting the surfaces of a` receptacle which includes the following steps: applying flatwise to surfaces' of said receptacle va series, of` ornamental elements each of strip-like. form and each consisting.r of a raised portio11. and.laterallyz extending flanges, and also similarlyapplying to corners or' meeting edges of the receptacle, similar ornamental elements but having their, flanges. at substantially right angles to.-each other for application to. the respective meeting surfaces, and adhesively securing to the other portions of, the` surfaces of. said lreceptacle and to the-tops, of. saidflanges` a. flexible outer covering from which portions of the material thereof have been removed that n shape and extentequal the said raised portions, so that Whenap-plied, the surfaces ofthe receptacle are entirely covered conjointly by the, said ornamental v,elements and the said flexible covering.

14..,Th`at process of ornamenting the surfaces of ya receptacle which` includes. the following steps: `applying latwise to Vsurfaces of said receptacle.,a,.series of ornamental elements each of Strip-like formand each consisting of a raised portion and laterally extending flanges, and also similarly applying to corners or meeting edges of the `receptacle, vsimilar,ornamental elements but havingtheir ,flanges at substantially right angles to. each other for application to the .respective meetingV surfaces, securing said. flanges to the surface of the receptacle, and adhesively securing to theV other portions of the surfaces of said receptacle and to the tops of said flanges ra flexable outer `covering from which portions of the materialthereof have been ,removed that in shape and extent. equal the saidraised portions, so that, when applied, the surfaces of the receptacle are entirely covered conjointly by the said ornamental elements and the said'flexible covering..

'HENRY M. HENDRICKSON. 

